S&S Cafeteria Closes

S&S Cafeteria workers and customers said their last good byes today. Most workers still cannot believe they were given such a short notice, from the new corporate owners in Tennessee, about the closing of their only Atlanta location closing.  Now they will start to search for new jobs.

Located on Campbellton Road at Central Villa, in southwest Atlanta, S&S Cafeteria has been serving up delicious collard greens, green beans, mac & cheese, pork chops, chicken, fish, peach cobbler and much more for almost 50 years and will be missed.

On this last day, business was much heavier than usual as people wanted to be sure to get one last scrumptious meal. Because the restaurant ran out of food, it had to close about an hour earlier than their scheduled time of 5:00pm today.  So, lots of customers driving up for their last S&S meal were extremely disappointed.

The Harvey & Idella Darden are emotional as they prepare to leave S&S Cafeteria for the last time. They were among the lucky customers served today.

Some of the lucky diners are pictured above and below.  The Dardens have been loyal customers for over 30 years.

Bunnie Jackson-Ransom (white shirt), family and friends leaving S&S after enjoying their last Sunday meal.

 

Lots of customers took their last photos whether they were able to enjoy a meal or not.  Many were wondering where they will now go on Sundays for their after church meals.

Loyal customers and community members are hoping that a similar type of  soul food restaurant will open in the same location.

Preservation of U.S. History

In the midst of the national debate about confederate statues, we must take the discussion to new heights here in metro Atlanta.  As an Atlanta native who has lived all over country, it is unfortunate that the other cities valued and preserved their historic structures while Atlanta continues to tear them down without a second thought. Initially I thought it was because there are so many people here from other places that they don’t care??  Yet, at least half of our current City Council members (many have served 2-4 terms or 8-16 years), the Council President and the Mayor are natives.  Hmmm. So, how could this continue to happen on their watch??

A recent column written by metro area writer Maria Saporta, complete with reader comments, asks several other good questions about preserving local Atlanta history.  This history includes the precious home of Grace Towns Hamilton, the first Black woman elected to the Georgia Legislature and daughter of George Alexander Towns; an educator and man my elementary school was named after.

Grace Towns Hamilton in the House Chamber of the Georgia Legislature.  (Source GA History Center)

Grace Towns Hamilton House in grave need of preservation. (Photo by Brandy Morrison.)

http://www.atlantapreservationcenter.com/place_detail?id=15&pt=1

Maria’s article also includes African American buildings as Morris Brown’s Gaines Hall and Atlanta Life Insurance Company’s first home on Auburn Avenue. I applaud Maria for pulling together this important story because the sale and tearing down of two historic Atlanta churches to make room for a football stadium still makes me sick to my stomach.  And it makes me question why other historic churches all along Peachtree Street were built around like the church across from Colony Square.  And, how about the church next door to the Fulton County Courthouse on Pryor or the one across the street from the State Capitol on Washington…just to name a few.

I believe you will enjoy this article. And, I hope you will think of how you might be a part of a movement to preserve the African American and Civil Rights structures included in the article as well others across the state.

https://saportareport.com/forget-symbols-confederacy-instead-lets-preserve-african-american-heritage/

In conclusion, here is information about Pascal’s Restaurant.  It’s where I walked on rare occasions after being on the tennis courts all day at Washington Park, if I had money for one of their famous fried chicken dinners in the 1970’s.

 

Paschal Brother’s Restaurant & Hotel. Owned and used by Clark Atlanta as a student dorm until 2004.

http://socialshutter.blogspot.com/2013/01/atlantas-warped-civil-right-legacy-sad.html?m=1

This is an important quote from the 2013 article in the link above about how Paschal’s can be preserved;

“If the city of Atlanta can consider sinking money into a new football stadium to draw tourists to the area, shouldn’t it also invest in restoring Paschal’s and its surrounding neighborhood, which may have even greater tourist potential?”

The question now is:  Do we care enough to preserve it and similar important historic structures??

Thanks in advance for leaving your comments and sharing this blog. The more people who know, means more who might help with a full scaled preservation project.

Taste Good and Good for You

 

Pink Beets w/wabashi sauce, yellow squash & tuna, kale w/fruit & multi grain

Bow tie pasta, pink beets, & sliced grilled chicken breast

Eating good food is imperative to how you look and feel.  While only a small percentage of the population is has a high metabolism and can eat anything without gaining weight, most of us have to watch what we eat.  If not, it will cause devastating consequences.

I love to eat. And I have figured out how to avoid most food fast and get healthy food fast.  One of my favorite places to indulge is at the euro-styled Metro Fresh restaurant at 931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta across the parking lot from Trader Joe’s. The photos above were some of today’s delicious dishes.

I usually get the three item special with a multigrain roll.  My favorite dish there is the Thai Peanut Veggie Trail Salad.  Since the menu changes every day, it is best to check the menu if you want to know what  treat you are going to enjoy in advance.  Metro Fresh post their menu daily by 6am. Often, I simply go without checking online, eager to try  new dishes. I have yet to be disappointed!!

So it is critical that we give our best efforts to eat healthy and seek out the healthy food restaurants and healthier foods in our grocery stores.  If you are not healthy, you cannot fight against wrongdoings, or on behalf of your children, grand children, other family members, or friends.

We have all heard the saying, “You are what you eat”.  It is true!!  So what did you eat today?  Did you plan it?  Or, do you simply grab whatever??